Daily Archives: January 20, 2009
Jon Heyman of SI.com believes the Mets are not in a rush to sign Oliver Perez, who is still seeking a five-year, $60 million deal.
According to Heyman, “Perez remains by far the Mets’ first choice for their final rotation spot, but club executives don’t appear quite as confident in their chances as before and are surveying other viable starters,” such as Ben Sheets, as well as Randy Wolf and Jon Garland.
Heyman also feels the Mets are worrisome that the Yankees may become suitors for Perez again.
Heyman says some Mets people ‘love Sheets,’ but are taking a second look at his medical records, adding, “Some Mets people are now wondering whether one or two years for Sheets might be a better gamble than four or five for Perez.”
…well, as i wrote last week, count me among the people who would rather sheets on a two-year deal over perez on a four– or five-year deal… sheets, plus a Freddy Garcia and Tim Redding, with John Maine, Mike Pelfrey and Johan Santana, with Jon Niese waiting on deck, is fine by me… there are a lot of question marks, but in a perfect world that is a strong rotation…
Tagged Oliver Perez |
Tom Verducci of SI.com believes the Mets were willing to give $14 million per season to Derek Lowe, before he agreed to sign with the Braves.
…if this is the case, it makes me question the popular notion that Omar Minaya is unwilling to commit more than $12 million to Oliver Perez…
Tagged Oliver Perez |The following video is of SNY’s New York Baseball Today: Hot Stove Edition, during which I talk with Peter Abraham from the Journal News about whether Bobby Valentine is on-deck to replace Joe Girardi, and how non-Mets people view Omar Minaya’s off-season moves so far:
The Mets and OF Cory Sullivan agreed to a one-year, $600,000 contract, which includes $300,000 in incentives, according to the Denver Post.
The 29–year-old Sullivan, who bats left-handed, is a career .279 hitter, with a .330 OBP and just eight HR in 927 at bats for the Rockies, during which he hit .269 away from Colorado.
He has played right field, center in left during his career.
The Padres, Rangers, Marlins and D’Backs had all been linked in rumor to Sullivan during the off-season.
To check out pictures of Mei Gray’s Shea Stadium warehouse in Bridgewater, NJ., go to Remembering Shea, where 
you’ll find images of items, formerly of Shea Stadium, hanging around to be purchased.
Andrew at The ‘Ropolitans takes a look back at Jerry Manuel’s days as a player.
In a post to Amazin’ Avenue, Eric Simon writes about RHP Rick Reed, who he ranks as the No. 32 among his Top 50 Mets of All Time.
James Kannengieser explains why the Mets should sign free-agent LHP Andy Pettitte, at Mets Geek, while Brooklyn Met Fan argues in favor of signing free-agent RHP Ben Sheets.
Lastly, in a post to Faith and Fear in Flushing, Greg Prince checks in his his friend, who is taking part in Mets Fantasy Camp in Port St. Lucie.
Yesterday, the Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic 
said free-agent LHP Randy Wolf rejected a contract offer from the D’Backs.
Last week, Piecoro said free-agent RHP Jon Garland also rejected a contract offer from the D’Backs.
According to Piecoro, “The Diamondbacks are believed to have about $4 million left to spend for 2009,” and offered a one-year deal to Garland with two option years.
…so, like i said before, it’s now safe to assume garland and wolf are not interested in at least a one-year, $4 million deal… from what i can gather, garland has been on Omar Minaya’s radar, but i have no idea to what extent he is willing to pay… i do believe the Mets like wolf, but they’re unwilling to spend more than $6 million or so on on him… the buzz from around baseball suggests wolf is still seeking a long-term deal worth roughly $10 million per season…
…earlier in the off-season, garland had been looking for a two– or three-year deal, worth around $10 million per season, though i am not sure he can expect to get that today…
According to multiple reports, the D’Backs have interest in free-agent RHP Pedro Martinez, as well, though he would prefer to remain on the East Coast.
Speaking of pitchers…
The Daily Herald believes free-agent RHP Freddy Garcia will sign a contract by the end of this week, and has narrowed his decision down to the Mets, White Sox and Rangers.
Last week, however, the same newspaper said the White Sox were not inclined to sign Garcia, because they recently acquired Bartolo Colon.
Tagged Randy Wolf |
The provisional rosters were announced yesterday for the World Baseball Classic, and 14 players from the Mets organization are scheduled to take part, including:
David Wright, J.J. Putz and Brian Schneider (USA); Francisco Rodriguez and Johan Santana (Venezuela); Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Pedro Feliciano and Jesus Feliciano (Puerto Rico); Ruben Tejada and Angel Cuan (Panama); Jose Reyes (Dominican Republic); Shawn Bowman (Canada); and Stefan Welch (Australia).
…i’m sorry, MLB, but i just can’t get excited about this tournament… instead, i just worry about injuries… i get it, i understand it’s importance, in terms of international fans, etc., but i prefer the Bobby Valentine Method, which would be to have the MLB champion, i.e., the Phillies, play other league champions, in an off-season tournament, not long after our World Series… but, this spring training thing is just a nightmare on so many levels, i feel…
Santana is listed on the Venezuelan roster, however whether or not he participates will be determined by his progress in spring training.
By the way, free-agent Oliver Perez is scheduled to play for Mexico.
The Mets re-signed infielder Argenis Reyes to a minor-league deal.
Reyes hit just .218 with one extra base hit and a .259 OBP in 49 games for the Mets last season.
… he looked so good in July, when he was at least making contact against righties, getting on base and flipping fancy double plays with Jose Reyes… however, that was short lived… by the end of the season, he made Endy Chavez look like He-Man…
The Mets also signed 38–year-old LHP Tom Martin to a minor-league deal.
Martin did not pitch in the major leagues in 2008.
He had a combined 5.08 ERA in 94 relief appearances for the Rockies during 2006 and 2007, while striking out 56 batters and walking 34.
